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Flood Control Dams in Oklahoma House District No. 48
Oklahoma has 2,107 flood control dams in 61
counties. These dams have been constructed
through conservation districts with financial and
technical assistance from the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
authorized through Public Law 78-534 (Washita
River Watershed) and Public Law 83-566
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Program.
The primary purpose of flood control dams is to
reduce flooding. The secondary benefits of the
dams address a myriad of public needs such as
water supply, water quality, soil health, water
management, wetland enhancement, fish and
wildlife habitat, and recreation. Flood control dams
improve public safety, contribute to a healthy
economy and support a strong nation.
Watershed projects also include the installation of
natural resource conservation practices such as
terraces, waterways, ponds, gully repair, and
pasture and rangeland plantings. These
conservation practices improve water quality and
soil health and reduce sedimentation into the lakes
formed by the dams.
Operation and Maintenance of Dams
The annual operation and maintenance of dams is
the responsibility of project sponsors (local units of
governments such as conservation districts).
Operation and maintenance of dams can be
expensive and labor intensive, but is necessary to
ensure the dams function as designed and remain
safe. Maintenance work includes removing trees
from dams and spillways, repairing erosion
damage, repairing damage to the spillway and
dams after heavy rainstorms, and keeping the
principal spillway inlet towers cleared of debris.
Operation and Maintenance Needs
An estimated $6 million per year is needed to meet
the operations and maintenance needs of the 2,107
flood control dams.
Annual Benefits
The 2,107 flood control dams and conservation
practices in watershed projects provide $85 million
in annual benefits. Listed on the back page are the
average annual benefits from watershed projects in
House District No 48.
Rehabilitation and Dam Safety
Some dams will need rehabilitation to remain safe
and protect the people that live or work
downstream.
There are 249 high hazard dams with 63 that meet
current dam safety criteria either through original
design or rehabilitation. It is estimated that $653
million will be required to rehabilitate the remaining
186 high hazard dams to comply with federal and
state dam safety laws.
More dams will become high hazard as long as
residential and business development is allowed
downstream of the dam in the breach flood area.
NRCS can provide 65 percent of the rehabilitation
costs and technical assistance to rehabilitate high
hazard dams. Local project sponsors provide 35
percent of the cost and obtain any needed
additional land rights.
As of January 2015 thirty-four dams in the state
have been rehabilitated to meet state and federal
mandated dam safety regulations and 18 dams are
in various stages of planning, design or
construction.

Flood Control Dams in Oklahoma House District No. 48
Oklahoma has 2,107 flood control dams in 61
counties. These dams have been constructed
through conservation districts with financial and
technical assistance from the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
authorized through Public Law 78-534 (Washita
River Watershed) and Public Law 83-566
Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention
Program.
The primary purpose of flood control dams is to
reduce flooding. The secondary benefits of the
dams address a myriad of public needs such as
water supply, water quality, soil health, water
management, wetland enhancement, fish and
wildlife habitat, and recreation. Flood control dams
improve public safety, contribute to a healthy
economy and support a strong nation.
Watershed projects also include the installation of
natural resource conservation practices such as
terraces, waterways, ponds, gully repair, and
pasture and rangeland plantings. These
conservation practices improve water quality and
soil health and reduce sedimentation into the lakes
formed by the dams.
Operation and Maintenance of Dams
The annual operation and maintenance of dams is
the responsibility of project sponsors (local units of
governments such as conservation districts).
Operation and maintenance of dams can be
expensive and labor intensive, but is necessary to
ensure the dams function as designed and remain
safe. Maintenance work includes removing trees
from dams and spillways, repairing erosion
damage, repairing damage to the spillway and
dams after heavy rainstorms, and keeping the
principal spillway inlet towers cleared of debris.
Operation and Maintenance Needs
An estimated $6 million per year is needed to meet
the operations and maintenance needs of the 2,107
flood control dams.
Annual Benefits
The 2,107 flood control dams and conservation
practices in watershed projects provide $85 million
in annual benefits. Listed on the back page are the
average annual benefits from watershed projects in
House District No 48.
Rehabilitation and Dam Safety
Some dams will need rehabilitation to remain safe
and protect the people that live or work
downstream.
There are 249 high hazard dams with 63 that meet
current dam safety criteria either through original
design or rehabilitation. It is estimated that $653
million will be required to rehabilitate the remaining
186 high hazard dams to comply with federal and
state dam safety laws.
More dams will become high hazard as long as
residential and business development is allowed
downstream of the dam in the breach flood area.
NRCS can provide 65 percent of the rehabilitation
costs and technical assistance to rehabilitate high
hazard dams. Local project sponsors provide 35
percent of the cost and obtain any needed
additional land rights.
As of January 2015 thirty-four dams in the state
have been rehabilitated to meet state and federal
mandated dam safety regulations and 18 dams are
in various stages of planning, design or
construction.